Assembly, Integration and Test Engineer I
About The Position
The Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) Engineer is responsible for developing, executing, and documenting test procedures for space technology systems ranging from CubeSats to ESPA-class spacecraft to ensure performance, functionality, and reliability in support of Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) space missions. This role involves integrating spacecraft hardware and software components, conducting space-qualified environmental testing, troubleshooting technical issues, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to refine mission designs. The AI&T engineer will support the full testing lifecycle for spaceflight experiments, including: Spacecraft assembly and integration: Hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of spacecraft buses, payloads, and experiments within government clean room facilities at Kirtland AFB Space environmental testing: Conduct and support functional and environmental testing including thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustic, EMI/EMC, and other space-qualification tests Launch integration: Support flight experiment integration at launch sites, including mechanical installation, functional testing, inspection, and day-of-launch processes Test facility management: Support government integration facility operations, including laboratory safety, clean room protocols, ESD procedures, and compliance with aerospace safety standards This position requires hands-on experience with space hardware, understanding of spaceflight environmental requirements, and the ability to work in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) supporting cradle-to-grave space mission lifecycles from concept through launch and operations.
Requirements
- BS degree
- 0+ years of experience
- TS clearance with ability to obtain SCI
- U.S. Citizenship is required
- Hands-on experience with space hardware
- Understanding of spaceflight environmental requirements
- Ability to work in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs)
Responsibilities
- Perform hands-on assembly and integration of spacecraft buses, payloads, and experiments within government facilities
- Support integration of CubeSat through ESPA-class spacecraft and high-altitude balloon systems
- Integrate flight hardware and software components, ensuring proper interfaces and functionality
- Support spacecraft mechanical installation, harnessing, thermal blanketing, and system closeouts
- Coordinate with spacecraft subsystem engineers (power, communications, attitude control, propulsion, structures)
- Maintain clean room protocols, ESD procedures, and contamination control standards
- Support government integration facility management including equipment maintenance and calibration
- Develop and execute test plans for space-qualified environmental testing: Thermal vacuum testing (hot/cold operational and survival temperatures), Vibration and shock testing (simulating launch environments), Acoustic testing (launch vehicle acoustic environments), EMI/EMC testing (electromagnetic compatibility for space systems), Functional testing (end-to-end spacecraft operations verification)
- Conduct systems-level tests to evaluate performance of spacecraft, balloon, and ground systems/subsystems
- Operate and maintain test equipment including thermal chambers, shake tables, and RF test equipment
- Perform data reduction, analysis, and review of functional and environmental test results
- Develop documented data acquisition, processing, analysis, and modeling/simulation tools for test evaluations
- Develop comprehensive test plans, test procedures, and test cases for spacecraft verification and validation
- Draft and review test specifications and user's guides
- Prepare Safety Plans and Risk Management Plans for test activities
- Document experimental processes and results to allow independent reproduction of tests
- Participate in programmatic, technical, and safety reviews
- Conduct reliability, operability, interoperability, and performance assessments
- Maintain test reports, compliance artifacts, and lessons learned documentation
- Support flight experiment launch integration activities at launch sites
- Support telemetry archiving, analysis, and post-launch documentation
- Pack, protect, and ship flight experiments and support equipment to launch facilities
- Support hardware and software integration in preparation for launch, including: Mechanical installation and interface verification, Functional testing and health checks, Thermal blanketing and final closeouts, Inspection and fairing integration, Range safety procedures, Day-of-launch processes and anomaly resolution
- Maintain and upgrade government integration capabilities and equipment
- Identify and recommend mitigation for hazardous situations in workspaces, test facilities, integration areas, and pre-launch facilities
- Support government integration facility management, including: Personnel training on laboratory equipment and safety procedures, Facility security and access control compliance, Safety compliance and hazard identification
- Analyze test results, troubleshoot issues, and support root cause analysis for test failures
- Support re-engineering and re-design of software and hardware after testing
- Implement corrective actions and retest to verify fixes
- Document failure modes, lessons learned, and design improvements
- Work closely with systems engineers, software engineers, hardware engineers, and operations personnel
- Support direct analytical, technician, and systems engineering tasks of the RVE Assembly, Integration, and Testing Infrastructure Lead(s)
- Provide technical support for design reviews, customer demonstrations, and field testing
Benefits
- health, vision, and dental insurance
- robust professional development and education opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
